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It takes effort and a lot of stamina to swim upstream against a current.  But remember, the spawning of new life is usually upstream.  Any dead fish can float downstream. 

The person that coined the phrase, “Go with the flow,” was, in my opinion, an individual that must have shied away from controversial issues, while abstaining from getting involved; never “Stirring the pot.”  Phrases like, “To buck the system,” fails to register in their repertoire of phraseology.  Dealing with challenging matters are always prefaced with, “Don’t make waves” or “You can’t fight city hall.”  This attitude is commonly known as a repressive style philosophy. 

The above character traits remind me of the comic strip, “Elmer Milque Toast.”  It’s about a little guy that never wants to “Rock the boat” and strives to “Just get along in life,” never standing for anything; never wanting to offend or rebut; a “middle of the road” kind of chap.  He wants nothing more than to “Live and let live.” 

You know what they say, “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.”  Even though the whole world’s populace decides to dogpaddle around issues regarding abortion, discrimination and women’s rights; choosing to float downstream does not make the person that feels like swimming upstream necessarily wrong.  Just because “Everyone is doing it” does not make it right. 

We need to stand up for our convictions though others are still seated around us.  We need to speak up loudly and be heard over the crowd that is saying nothing.  We need to go when the “Gravy train” bunch says stop.  We need to smile and not frown like those around us.  They have not learned the art of resting their face.  “Smile and the whole world smiles back.”  We need to practice this and see if it works for us.

The world says, “Compromise,” but the Christian says, “I’m committed.”  The world says, “Not in excess,” but the Believer says, “I’m sold out.”  If someone tells us to, “Go to hell,” remember, heaven is a real place too.  Natural thinking says, “Everything in moderation,” but God says, “Be hot or cold,” there is no in-between with Him.

(Revelation 3:15-16), “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.”  vs.16 “So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

A good motto to live by is “Stand and be counted.”  Don’t be “Weak-kneed.”  Refuse to be the one on the outside looking in.  Christians are a peculiar people that represent Christ not only in attitude, but also in deed.  For example, even though a person says to you that they sincerely feel that you are justified in doing or saying this and that, or you yourself feels that you are justified in your own eyes to do or say such and such, the question remains, “Am I justified in the eyes of God?” 

The answer to this question may surprise some people and cast a new light on the matter, thus, helping them to see more clearly what the will of the Lord is concerning them.  They will then be tuned into God’s voice; hearing His words of truth as He speaks to the heart. 

We need to measure ourselves against God’s Word and not the world’s standard of living.  We need to abstain from sin though others give into temptations.  We need to stay Spirit filled, and not Satan oppressed, or worse yet, demon possessed.  We need to be God fearing by respecting and honoring the Lord, while turning our back on misbehavior and misconduct—keeping the Ten Commandments.

(John 14:15), “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Through Jesus Christ the Son of God we possess life, but without Him only death remains.  To choose Christ is sound thinking.  To reject Him is life without purpose. 

(John 8:36), “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  Let Jesus set you free.

“A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.”  “Keep on keeping on.”  God bless you!

Written by,

Papa Boyd